Computer side panel assembly

ABSTRACT

A computer side panel assembly includes a computer side panel configured to be attached to a side of a computer case, and a cover plate attached to an outer side of the computer side panel by a plurality of fastening members. The cover plate is attached to the computer side panel. A receiving space is defined between the computer side panel and the cover plate configured to receive a handbook therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer side panel assembly.

2. Description of Related Art

Contemporary computer side panels have very simple functions such as a cover for electronic components of a computer. However, there may be other functions they could be adapted for. For example, people often have a need to refer to their computer or software handbooks. However, these are not always ready to hand, and there is no convenient way to store them on already cluttered desktops holding the computers.

What is needed is to provide a computer side panel assembly which can also serve as a handbook container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a computer side panel assembly includes a computer side panel configured to be attached to a side of a computer case, and a cover plate attached to an outer side of the computer side panel by a plurality of fastening members. The cover plate is attached to the computer side panel. A receiving space is defined between the computer side panel and the cover plate.

Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled, isometric view of a computer side panel assembly in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a computer case;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the computer side panel assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded, isometric view of a computer side panel assembly in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a computer side panel assembly 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a computer side panel 12, and a cover plate 14 attached to an outer side of the computer side panel 12 by a plurality of fastening members, such as screws 20.

The computer side panel 12 is mounted to a side of a computer case 11.

The cover plate 14 is generally rectangular, with two spacers 142 protruding from the top two corners thereof. The cover plate 14 defines four through holes 16 in four corners thereof respectively, and a cutout 15 is defined approximately midway between the top two through holes 16 for providing access to various size handbooks. The computer side panel 12 defines four mounting holes 18 therein corresponding to the four through holes 16. In this embodiment, the mounting holes 18 of the computer side panel 12 are screw holes. A flange 144 protrudes from, and spans, the bottom edge of the cover plate 14. The flange 144 and the spacers 142 protrude a same distance from the cover plate 14 toward the panel 12 to cooperatively define a receiving space 17 between the plate 14 and the panel 12.

The screws 20 extend through the four through holes 16 and then engage in the four screw holes 18 respectively, for attaching the cover plate 14 to the computer side panel 12. A handbook (not shown) may be accommodated in the receiving space 17, and supported on the flange 144. Furthermore, the height of the cover plate 14 can be designed to be less than that of the handbook for facilitating easy removal of the handbook. Alternatively, a pair of side flanges (not shown) may protrude from opposite lateral sides of the cover plate 14 to cover lateral sides of the receiving space 17.

Referring also to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Instead of the screws 20 of the first embodiment, a plurality of other types of fastening members 30 is applied. In this embodiment, the fastening members 30 each comprise a fastener 32, and a resilient element 34 arranged to the fastener 32. In this embodiment, the resilient elements 34 are coil springs.

Each fastener 32 comprises a cap, a shaft extending from the cap with the resilient element 34 disposed around the shaft, and a pair of barbs 324 formed on a distal end of the shaft. The barbs 324 of each fastener 32 are squeezed through the corresponding mounting hole 18 of the computer side panel 12 and clasped to the inner side of the computer side panel 12 by action of the resilient element 34 resisting against the outer side of the panel 12. Thus the cover plate 14 is mounted to the computer side panel 12.

The cover plate 14 can be made of transparent material and can be decorated as desired, such as with a computer brand logo thereon.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments. 

1. A computer side panel assembly comprising: a computer side panel configured to be attached to a side of a computer case; a cover plate attached to an outer side of the computer side panel by a plurality of fastening members; and a receiving space defined between the computer side panel and the cover plate.
 2. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate defines a plurality of through holes therein, the computer side panel defines a plurality of mounting holes therein, and the fastening members extend through the through holes and engage in the mounting holes thereby attaching the cover plate to the computer side panel.
 3. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate is generally rectangular, with two spacers protruding from the top two corners thereof and a flange protruding from, and spanning the bottom edge of the cover plate.
 4. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flange and the spacers protrude a same distance from the cover plate toward the panel to cooperatively define the receiving space configured to receive a handbook supported on the flange.
 5. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein a cutout is defined approximately midway between the top two corners for providing access to various size handbooks.
 6. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening members comprise screws, the mounting holes of the computer side panel are screw holes.
 7. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening members each comprise a fastener, and a resilient element arranged to the fastener.
 8. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a cap, a shaft extending from the cap, and a pair of barbs formed on a distal end of the shaft, the barb extending through a corresponding through hole to be squeezed through a corresponding mounting hole of the computer side panel and clasped to the inner side of the computer side panel by action of the resilient element resisting against the outer side of the panel.
 9. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the resilient member is a coil spring disposed around the shaft of the fastener.
 10. A side panel assembly for a computer, comprising: a side panel attached to a side of a computer case; and a cover plate parallel to the side panel attached to an outer side of the side panel with a receiving space formed between the outer side of the side panel and the cover plate configured to receive a handbook of the computer therein.
 11. The side panel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover plate is generally rectangular, two spacers protruding from top two corners of the cover plate and abutting against the outer side of the side panel, a flange protruding from and spanning the bottom edge of the cover plate for supporting the handbook thereon.
 12. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flange and the spacers protrude a same distance from the cover plate toward the panel to cooperatively define the receiving space.
 13. The computer side panel assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein a cutout is defined at the top edge of the cover plate between the top two corners for providing access to the handbook.
 14. The side panel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cover plate is detachably attached to the side panel by a plurality of fastening members.
 15. The side panel assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cover plate defines a plurality of through holes, the side panel defines a plurality of screw holes aligned with the respective through holes, and the fastening members each comprises a screw extending through a corresponding through hole to be screwed into the corresponding screw hole.
 16. The side panel assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cover plate defines a plurality of through holes, the side panel defines a plurality of mounting holes aligned with the respective through holes, and the fastening members each comprises a cap, a shaft extending from the cap with a resilient member disposed therearound, and a pair of barbs formed on a distal end of the shaft, the barb extending through a corresponding through hole to be squeezed through a corresponding mounting hole and clasped to the inner side of the side panel by action of the resilient member resisting against the outer side of the panel.
 17. The side panel assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the resilient member is a coil spring. 